We were one of the lucky ones, admits Oxford boss after four-star home win seals coveted top-six spot
KARL ROBINSON has admitted Oxford had luck on their side as they pipped Pompey to the League One play-offs.
The Blues suffered finalday agony and missed out on a top-six berth on the last day of the season.
Danny Cowley’s side were in the driving seat heading into their game against Accrington yesterday and a win would have secured their place in the play-offs.
However, Pompey suffered a lacklustre 1-0 defeat and Oxford took full advantage by winning 4-0 at home to Burton to book their place in the play-offs for the second successive campaign.
And Robinson is ‘immensely proud’ to have given the Kassam Stadium side another chance of reaching the Championship after suffering Wembley heartbreak 12 months ago.
Oxford’s boss told Sky Sports: ‘Oxford, for two consecutive seasons, are in the play-offs and it’s beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.
‘It was stability in League One for a number of years before we could get ourselves in the play-offs three or four years down the line.
‘Burton came here and gave absolutely everything with integrity for the competition.
‘We were one of the lucky ones where the ball has fallen for us in certain areas. It’s not always talent, you need a lot of luck in an EFL season.
‘We’re immensely proud to be in the play-offs for consecutive years – it’s a nice feeling.’
Meanwhile, Nigel Adkins has urged Charlton to continue moving forward as they also finished above Pompey.
The Addicks beat champions Hull 1-0 at The Valley to end the campaign level on 74 points with Oxford – but missed out on the playoffs due to goal difference.
Adkins took the helm from Lee Bowyer with just 10 matches to go and lost only one game.
And although he’s unsure if he’ll be at the club next term, Adkins insists Charlton now need to start building for a renewed Championship charge.
He told the South London Press: ‘We’ve had 10 games since I’ve joined. Thanks to all of the staff and the
League One players, the supporters have been great.
‘We’ve lost once since I’ve been in charge and that was our best performance against another team that has been promoted in Peterborough.
‘We just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net. When we look at the possession stats and how we built the play, it was really good.
‘Unfortunately, we’ve not got enough goals or points to be in the play-off positions. ‘Now we know what division we’re in, we can obviously reflect, debrief but look to go and build on the 10 games in the short space of time I’ve been here. And build with the owner on how we can keep moving forward.’
Blackpool picked up a 1-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers to finish third and will play Oxford in the playoff semi-finals.
Neil Critchley reckons the Seasiders have real momentum as he aims to deliver promotion in his first full season in charge.
Sunderland will meet
Lincoln in the other play-off semi-final.
The Black Cats’ regular season ended with a 1-1 draw at home to Northampton, while the Imps were held to a goalless stalemate at home to
AFC Wimbledon.
Lee Johnson knows Sunderland are in for two tough games against Michael Appleton’s side, while Appleton reckons Lincoln being the underdog could be to their advantage.
Other results: Crewe 3-2 Shrewsbury, Doncaster 1-4 Peterborough, Gillingham 1-0 Plymouth, Ipswich 3-1 Fleetwood, MK Dons 0-3 Rochdale, Wigan 3-4 Swindon.